h water," said Stump.

"Do you want to have the jaw all to yourself?" asked Mont. "Go and ask
when the boat will be ready to take us ashore."

Stump departed on his errand and found the boat already prepared for
them.

It was made of various pieces of wood, which were easily put together
when it was wanted and taken apart when it was not required.

It would hold half a dozen men, and floated by the side of the
_Searcher_.

Each of the four companions was provided with an electric gun containing
the usual twenty shots.

"A pleasant excursion, gentlemen," said the captain, as they emerged on
the platform; "I hope you do not intend to deprive me for any length of
time of the pleasure of your society."

"Wouldn't do such a thing for worlds, sir," answered our hero.

"You needn't return to-night, if you prefer camping out."

"We didn't mean to," replied Mont.

A peculiar smile crossed Captain Vindex's expressive face, as if he
guessed what was passing in the youth's mind.

"Remember one thing," he said; "be very careful of your ammunition."

"Why?"

"You will find out in time. All I have to say is, recollect my advice,"
was the answer.

They got into the boat and rowed ashore, picking their way carefully
through the coral reefs, and in five minutes the bottom of the boat
grated upon a sandy beach.

"Hurrah!" cried Mont, throwing up his cap; "land once more!"

Stump, who was thoroughly familiar with all the tricks of boys, put down
his hands and "turned a wheel," after which he stood on his head, to
give expression to his delight.

Huge forests stretched far inland, and raised their mighty heads a
hundred feet from the earth.

Palms, shrubs, and creepers were mingled with the trees in grand
confusion, and this scene, in the glowing sunshine, was indescribably
beautiful.

The professor saw a cocoanut palm, and, knocking off some of the fruit,
gave it to the boys, who pronounced it delicious.

"Now," he said, "we will shoot something and dine as we have not dined
for a long time."

"I've some salt in my pocket, and Stump has knives," remarked Carl.

"It looks to me," said Mont, "as if we were likely to have a sirloin of
tiger for dinner; that forest ought to be full of wild beasts."

"No matter," answered Carl, "anything's better than fish. Come on."

They skirted the forest, fearing to enter it lest they might lose
themselves in its dense interior.

Keeping their guns ready for instant action,